Popcorn.gif - smith and warner have stood down as C and VC for the remainder of the game, Smith has been removed as captain of the RR in the IPL. Aus PM Calling for smith to stand down. This is just excellent. Apparently smith, Warner, Lyon, Hazlewood all in on the idea. Following the developments extremely closely.

There is so much wrong with this team. It was a good effort in the second innings but if you get bowled out for 58 in the first, you don't deserve anything other than to lose the game.

Batting, this lot have been shown to be vulnerable against the short ball bouncer - so why not just avoid/duck them. Just remove the hooks and pulls from your arsenal and keep ducking. Eventually the opposition will tire and start bowling less threatening line and lengths. Just stop chasing the bouncers FFS. Bin Vince while you're at it.

With the bowling, it's the same old story we had in Australia. A bowling line up that all try to do the same thing. Look at the NZ team. Boult, Southee and Wagner all bring different styles to the team. Obviously Stokes not being able to fulfil his role as the fourth seamer isn't ideal but work around it. Wood should have played instead of Overton (nothing against Overton) because he offers real pace which none of the others do.

Moeen has been a passenger the entire winter in the tests, he isn't delivering with bat or ball, time to give a chance to Leach who has at least delivered in the County scene.

I agree, that's the line up for me too. Also, on this test, Stokes played one of the most brainless shots ever just before the break. The limited overs game has just completely buggered up any sense for playing a test match in some players.

Rex Kramer wrote:I agree, that's the line up for me too. Also, on this test, Stokes played one of the most brainless shots ever just before the break. The limited overs game has just completely buggered up any sense for playing a test match in some players.

Hyperion wrote:Constantly losing wickets just before breaks highlights a drop off in focus that needs to be addressed

I haven't seen the Stokes shot but I've heard Swanny's comment on it - it beggars belief that he thinks that is an appropriate shot to play when trying to bat out an entire day's play and he's the last remaining recognised batsman. You could, arguably, defend it by saying he's been out of the game for some months, or say its his natural instinct, but they're just excuses. He should be in the mindset of "I'm not getting out, I'm not going after anything, I might nab the odd single here and there" rather than "I'm gonna hit some boundaries".

Having said that, 188 balls for Stokes is probably the slowest 66 he's ever made in his life, so I'll give him some credit for reigning it in for what is close to an eternity in Stokesland.

Totally agree in general about the lack of focus though, I almost did my nut when Root got out. At that point, with Malan also at the crease, who proved to be pretty dogged himself against the Aussies, I actually felt we had a 50% chance of batting out for the draw.

One of my friends works at Somerset (who have signed Bancroft as overseas player for the season). Sounds like this may not happen now - CEO is absolutely fuming

Also, David Warner has apparently fallen out with a large proportion of the team (reported by Fox News Australia) and has left the team Whatsapp group. If that second part is true, I absolutely love the pettiness of it Announcement from Sutherland/Cricket Australia expected tonight UK time.

Also also, received two E-mails from CA:

To our Australian Cricket Fans,

We are sorry.

We are sorry that you had to wake up this morning to news from South Africa that our Australian Men’s Cricket team and our Captain admitted to conduct that is outside both the Laws of our game and the Spirit of Cricket.

This behaviour calls into question the integrity of the team and Cricket Australia.

Following discussions with Steve Smith and David Warner they have agreed to stand down as Captain and Vice-Captain respectively for the remainder of this Test match.

As I said at a media conference earlier today, Cricket Australia and Australian cricket fans expect high standards from cricketers representing our country, and on this occasion these standards have not been met.

We know how you feel and have heard your feedback loud and clear. We share your anger and disappointment.

As you would be aware, we have launched an immediate investigation into what transpired in Cape Town, and our Head of Integrity is travelling to South Africa as we speak.

All Australians, like us, want answers and we will keep you updated on our findings, as a matter of urgency.

James Sutherland Chief Executive Officer - Cricket Australia

To our Australian Cricket Fans,

I would like to provide you with an update on the situation with the Australian Men’s Cricket Team and the investigation currently underway into what transpired at Cape Town.

Our Head of Integrity will arrive in South Africa shortly to continue his inquiries around the specifics of the ball tampering incident.

I am travelling to South Africa this evening, arriving on Tuesday morning local time, at which point I will meet with our Head of Integrity to understand the findings of the investigation to that point, and to consider the outcomes.

We are aiming to be in a position to fully update the Australian public on the investigation and outcomes on Wednesday morning AEDT.

We understand the strong interest everyone has in this situation and we are following due process to properly address all of the relevant issues involved.

We recognise how important the fans are to our game, and this process is the beginning of restoring your faith in Australian Cricket.

Really, just those three? No bowlers and no input from the coach? What a load of strawberry floating nonsense. I hope this brings the whole of Aussie cricket tumbling down now. They had a chance to sort this and they've bottled it.

TBF CA did say there will be further sanctions handed down in the next 24 hours.

According to TMS associate Jim Maxwell the Australian public are absolutely fuming and up arms about it all and will demand strong punishments for those responsible. On top of that, their Prime Minister has come out and demanded action so I don't think CA can afford to half-arse whatever they end up going with. A one game suspension and a token fine won't cut it for cricket fans down under.

One thing that did make me laugh was imagining us being in the same situation, with a Maybot statement being put out.